Bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism



Feb. l2,

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHNISM Filed Aug. 18, 1950 7 She'ets sheet l ROBERT L, HOLLOWAY T' JOHN BoHM BY JOHN zuERcHER LEOPOLD STRAUSS ToR EY .VW/9. 7 www w Naw D Now for...

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BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 www www www lm l WIM@ wl... A VI PILL lNvENToRs ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM JOHN ZUERGHER BY LEOPOLD sTRAus ATTORY Feb, '12, i957 R L. HQLLQWAY ET AL WLB-95 BOWLING PIN sPoTTING AND REsPoTTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 18, 195o l 7 sheets-sheet s 462 X454 45,4 ,.hzm En 4Q@U 540 544 496 466 45?, F l G. 4

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Feb, 3,2, 1957 R. L. HQLLQWAY ETAL 297339195 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 18, 1950 INVENTORS ROBERT L. HoLLowAY T. JOHN BoHM JOHN ZUERGHER BY LEOPOLD STRAUSS ATTORN Y Feb. 12, 1957 R. L. HoLLowAY ETAL 2,78L95 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 18, 1950 7 Sheds-Sheet 5 v iNVENTORS ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM LD sTRA ss ATTO@ EY JOHN ZUERCHER BY LEOPO Feb. 12, 1957 R. L. HOLLOWAY ETAL BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 18, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 lNVENTORS ROBERT L. HoLLowAY T. .JOHN BoHM JOHN ZUERGI-.iER BY LEOPOLD STRAUS mmm.

6% ATTO R Y Feb. 12, 1957 R. L. HoLLowAY ETAL 2,781,195

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 17

' INVENTORS ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM JOHN ZUERGHER BY LEoPoLD sTRAus AT'TORY United States Patent O BOWLING PIN SPOTZIING AND RESPOTTING MECHANISM Robert L. Holloway, Snyder, and Toivo J chu Bohm, John Zuercher, and Leopold Strauss, Buffalo, N. Y., assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation ot New Jersey Application August 18, 1950, Serial No. 180,174

32 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention rela-tes `to bowling pin spotting machines, and more particularly to improvements in mechanisms for spotting Iand respotting bowling pins on the playing bed `of a bowling alley, and means for rapidly eliecting the delivery of bowling pins to the spotting mechanism with-out interrupting the movement of ithe latter relative to the bed of the bowling alley with which the machine is associated.

In bowling pin spotting machines, and especially in automatic bowling pin 'spotting machmes, there lare always present problems affecting the delivery of bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley with which a pin spotting machine is associated, and distribution of the pins to a pin spotter operative to place pins in a predetermined playing yarrangement upon the playing bed of a bowling alley. Many attempts have been made in the past to solve these problems, and means have been provided for automatically setting pins on the playing bed of a bowling alley. In such devices, complicated structure has been employed which resulted in an extremely heavy structure embodying pin spotting devices and pin respotting devices of `such a nature that parts thereof are relatively inaccessible, and make repairs and adjustments bo-th expensive and dicult.

The pre-sent invention is directed towards solving the above noted problems. The bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism, constructed in Iaccordance with the invention, is both simple and easy to voperate and involves the use of a minimum number of parts for aecomplishing these important purposes. The present invention includes a table or elevator which is movable to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley and which is provided with separate pin spotting units, and pin respotting devices `operative to place bowling pins in playing arrangement on the bed of a bowlingalley, and after 'the rolling of the first ball of any frame, if pins remain standing, such pins, whether `standing in on or off-spot position on the playing bed of the alley, are automatically gripped, lifted and returned to substantially the same position each occupied before being lifted.

lt is an object of the invention to provide an improved pin spotting and respotting mechanism which spots and respots pins accurately upon the bowling bed of a bowling alley.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved spot-ting and respotting mechanism including a table which is moved to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley, which table is provided with pin spotting units, adapted to place a predetermined number of bowling pins, usually ten bowling pins, in a desired playing arrangement, such as the conventional triangular pin playing arrangement, and respotting units which respot standing pins, after the rolling yof the iirst ball of a frame in substantially the exact on or olf-spot position each occupied prior to being lifted or respotted.

The invention is also characterized by a novel bowling pin spotting and respotting table movable to and from 'the r"ice playing bed of a bowling alley, which table is furnished with a plurality yof triangularly arranged movable spotting units adapted to place pins in playing arrangement upon the playing `deck of a bowling alley and pin actuated respotting units operative in response to the movement of the table towards the bowling alley after the rolling of the first ball of `a frame to operate the pin respotting units corresponding to standing pins for gripping Isuch pins for lifting by the table as it moves upwardly -away from the alley and which, in response to the replacement of such lifted bowling pins on the alley in their on or off-spot positions, are actuated to release such pins in order that when the table moves upwardly again, these pins rem-ain in their respotted positions on the alley.

`It is a further object of the invention to provide a spotting [and respotting table which is moved to and from the playing bed of -a bowling alley, and wherein the table is loca-ted at the same height above the bed both when spotting and respotting pins, thus making it possible to provide a simple harmonic drive for actuating the table.

With these and other objects not specically mentioned in view, the invention lconsists in `certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in whi-ch like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan View of a part of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

-Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating a preferred embodiment of Ithe respotter control mechanism;

-Figure 4 is a plan view taken on line 4-4 Vof Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end elevation taken `on line 5--5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view, partly in section, of a detail of one of the table operating connecting rods;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the lspotter units Iin p'in spotting position relative to the playing bed of a bowling alley;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of -a spotting unit;

Figure 9 is a plan View of a spotting unit 'and a re- VSpotting unit;

Figure l0 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure ll is a 'side elevation of a respotting unit gripping a pin to be lifted for respotting;

Figures 12 to 16 inclusive illustrate successive steps in the locking and unlocking of the grippers of a respotting unit; and

Figure 17 illustrates a suitable wiring diagram for operating the spotting-respotting table.

ln the mechanism shown in Figure l, a device for lifting pins from the pit of a bowling alley can be of similar construction and operation to that disclosed in co-pending application Serial Number 150,232, tiled March 17, 1950, for Bowling Pin Elevating Mechanism by Robert L. Holloway and lohn Zuercher. Bowling pins lifted from the pit of a bowling alley are distributed by a distributing device of a type similar to that disclosed in co-pending application Serial Number 178,777 for Pin Handling Mechanism for Bowling Pin Spotting Machines filed August 11, 1950, by lohn Zuercher. If desired, however, the bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism, which forms a part of the present invention, may be used with other types of bowling pin spotting machines with which it is adaptable. Therefore, it is not to be considered that the bowling pin spotting and respotting mechanism ofthe present application is limited in use to the devices shown in the above referred to copending applications.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. Pins 11 are spotted and respotted on the playing bed A of a bowling alley. Bowling pins 11 which are knocked down by a ball or by other pins, or which are removed from bed A by suitable means (not shown), fall into pit P upon the upper lap of conveyor 15, preferably continuously driven, which delivers them to a guide chute 17 extending transversely of the pit. Guide chute 17 directs the pins into a pin elevating mechanism, such as a rotary disc or drum designated generally 19.

The bowling pin elevating mechanism can be similar in construction and operation to that disclosed in co-pending application Serial Number 150,232. Disc 19 is mounted for rotation on a horizontal shaft 21 having one end journalled in a bearing 23 attached to a channel member 25 suitably secured to a cross frame member 27 extending transversely across the pit and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the top of kickbacks 29. The other end of shaft 21 is journalled in a bearing 31 suitably secured to frame member 33. Disc 19 preferably is rotated continuously at a desired rate of speed by means of a pulley secured thereto. Pulley 35 is driven by a belt 37 from a driving pulley (not shown) driven from a motor or other suitable source of power (not shown) at a desired rate of speed, in a manner similar to that described in co-pending application Serial Number 150,232.

Disc 19 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced pockets (not shown) into which pins are directed by chute 17, and wherein pins are retained by gripping rods (not shown) acuated by a cam (not shown) in such manner that each pin, seated and held in a pocket, is elevated from a position adjacent the delivery edge of chute 17 -to a point substantially directly above, where it is released and falls free from its respective pocket into a pin receiving and orienting chute 182 of the distributing mechanism on the distributor, designated generally D. Bowling pins, discharged from pit P of the bowling alley in the manner described hereinabove and elevated by pin elevating mechanism 19, are delivered one by one by distributor D into pin spotting units or receptacles 330 carried by table T. The latter also is provided with respotting devices associated therewith and designated generally 350 adapted to respot bowling pins in on or off-spot playing arrangement on bed A of a bowling alley. Table T is mounted for movement to and from playing bed A of a bowling alley for spotting and respotting bowling pins thereon. Distributor D may be substantially the same in construction and operation as that shown and described in the above referred to copending Zuercher application Serial Number 178,777.

Referring to Figures l and 2, pin distributor D consists of a pair of U-shaped pin guide chutes 12 and 14, slidably arranged in a telescopic manner in order to provide a guide chute which can be automatically eX- tended or retracted in order to deliver bowling pins one by one to the several pockets 309 of table T. Guide chute 12 at one end is secured to a pair of spaced brackets 16, one of which is shown in Figure 1. Each bracket 16 is provided with an extending hub rotatably supported in a bearing of frame lbracket 22. Frame bracket 22 is provided with a stud 26 which engages with a vertical bearing bracket 28, the upper face of which also supports frame bracket 22. Bearing bracket S is secured to a horizontal cross frame member 30.

The other end of chute or guide channel 12 is secured lto the upper portion of a U-shaped member 32, the lower portion of which is provided with a pair of hubs 34, one on each side of chute 12, although only one arm of member 32 and one hub 34 are shown in Figure 1. Secured in each hub 34 is an end of a rod 36, the other end of which is connected to a lug 20 forming an integral part of bracket 16. To the inner side of each arm of U-shaped member 32 is pivotally mounted a roller (not shown), each roller contacting and rolling on the top edge of a horizontal rod 42, the rods having one end attached to a vertical bracket 44 and the other end provided with a lug d6 (Figure 2) pivotally supported by a horizontal shaft 4S. Also carried by member 32 are rollers di) which contact and roll along the side edges of rods 42. Rods 42 are also connected to each other by means of a pair of tie rods (not shown) which maintain rods 42 parallel to each other and also provide a support for pin guide channel 14 which is secured thereto. To the inner side of each vertical bracket d4 is pivotally yattached a guide roller (not shown) which engages with and is adapted to roll on the top edge of one of the rods 36, thereby providing a rolling support for rods 42 and consequently for pin guide channel 14 relative to rods 36. Each bracket 44 is also provided with a guide roller 39 which engages a side of its respective rod 36 and provides proper guide means for cach bracket 44 as it moves along its respective rod 36.

The front or pin delivery end of pin distributor D is supported and guided by means of a beveled disc 56 und a guide roller (not shown) both of which engage and run on and along a horizontal track 60 suitably attached to the top of pin spotting and respotting table T. Beveled disc 56 is keyed to a vertical stud 62 rotatably supported in a suitable hub of a bearing member 66 mounted on the front end of distributor D. Stud 62 forms an integral part of a gear (not shown), driven by suitable gearing and clutch mechanism (not shown) to drive beveled disc 56 along track 6i) at the proper time for effecting the extension or retraction of parts 12 and 14 of distributor D in the delivery of pins to each of the several pockets 300 mounted on table T. Stud 62 is supported in bearing member 66 by suitable swiveled members such that at all times during the operation of distributor D and even when table T is moving up and down, stud 62 is maintained in a vertical position and beveled disc 52 is properly associated with track 60 along which it moves by reason of the engagement of teeth or notches on beveled disc 56 engaging complementary teeth or notches 57 formed on the surface of track 60, as shown in Figure 2.

The mechanism for driving beveled member 56 includes a beveled gear (not shown) loosely mounted on shaft 413 coasting with a clutch (not shown) having its driven part attached to shaft 48, the latter being driven by a pulley 142 attached thereto. Pulley 1432 is driven by means of the bowling pin conveyor belt 146 from a pulley 148 mounted on shaft 150 supported in suitable bearings in bracket 22. Shaft 150 is driven by a sprocket (not shown) attached thereto from a motor or other suitable source of power. Belt 146 which conveys pins through distributor D is led from pulley 148 to pulley 142 over the bottom of the U-shaped channel formed by guide chutes 12 and 14, over a tension pulley 166 and a guide pulley 168. Tension pulley 166 is freely mounted and oatingly supported by means of a stud 174? and a pair of springs 172 anchored to suitable pins 174 on brackets 44. Guide pulley 168 is rotatably supported on a stud 176, the ends of which are supported by the arms of U-shaped member 32.

Each bowling pin elevated by disc 19 when released e therefrom drops into a receiving chute 132 mounted in pin receiving position relative to disc 19 and oriented and guided thereby onto pin conveyor belt 146, where each pin is delivered butt end forwardly through chutes 12 and 14 for discharge therefrom into one of the pin spotting units 300.

An inclined guide plate 133 suitably attached to front bearing member 66, and two spaced guide members 19d attached to the front end of the side Walls of U-shaped guide chute 14, insure the proper discharge of each pin into a unit 300.

As illustrated in Figure 2, pin spotter units`300 on table T are arranged in a substantially triangular pattern conforming to the positions pins occupy on bed A of the alley. Horizontal cam track 60, mounted on table T, which guides and controls the movement of distributor D to and from all spotter units 300, is of a. heart-shaped design, Figure 2, and is provided with a number of pin stops 192 for stopping the movement of the distributor in proper discharge relationship relative to the several pin spotter units 300. Since the starting and stopping of the distributor movement do not constitute a specic part of the invention, further description thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity. It is therefore deemed suiicient to state that after the delivery of a bowling pin to a spotter unit 300, the drive of beveled member 56 is started and the distributor moves to the next empty unit 300 for the delivery of a pin thereto.

As bowling pins are being moved by belt 146 forwardly for discharge from `distributor D into pin spotter units 306, each pin engages a trip, such as a disc 120, mounted on a shaft 121 connected to clutch operating means (not shown) which sets into operation the movement of distributor D along cam track 60. As mentioned hereinabove, distributor D, while moving on heart-shaped track 60, through the mechanism described, causes guide chutes 12 and 14 to move together or separate in a manner similar to the operation of the parts of a slide trombone. Pin guide chute 14 telescopes inwardly and outwardly beneath chute 12. The mounting of pulleys 148, 142, 166 and 168 provides an automatic take-up and tensioning means for belt 146 and assures its proper operation regardless of the positions of guide chutes 12 and,

14 when belt 146 is efecting the discharge of a pin into a selected spotting unit 360.

Since distributor D, as stated, is designed to deliver pins to the several pinspotter units 300 not only when table T is stationary but also during its ascending and descending movements, there is provided a parallelogram designated generally 282 for maintaining that part of the distributor which supports beveled member 56 at the front or delivery end of the distributor in a horizontal position in order that beveled member 56 and its co-acting roller (not shown) may always be disposed properly relative to track 66. Parallelogram 282 includes a pair of rods 284 pivoted to a horizontal stationary arm 286 which projects from and is mounted on frame bracket 22. The other pair of rods 288 is pivoted to a vertical member 29) which forms an integral part of the front bearing -member 66. Both pairs of rods 284 and 288 are pivotally connected to a bell-crank lever 292.

In the illustrated embodiment, table T consists of a generally triangular frame designated 311. This frame is formed of side frame members 312 arranged to form what may be termed the sides of the triangle. The ends of members 312, which converge and form the apex of f frame 311, are rigidly secured together, as by welding, by a plate 31d. The other ends of members 312 are secured rigidly to brackets 316 provided with spaced antifriction bearings in brackets 318 supporting the ends of a transverse rock shaft 320, the latter forming the base of the triangle of frame 311. Side members 312 and shaft 321i thus form a beam truss providing a light, rigid frame substantially resistant to any twisting or bending forces which might occur in the operation of the machine. Side frame members 312 are also provided with lugs 322 having bearings in which are mounted the ends of transverse rock shafts 324, 326 and 328 which are parallel with rock shaft 320 and spaced apart equal distances one from the other.

As clearly shown in Figure 2, ten spotting units 300 are provided. These units are mounted on table T in triangular arrangement and are operated in such manner as to spot or place ten bowling pins in spotted playing arrangement on alley bed A. Obviously if desired, a diierent number of units 300 and a different arrangement on table T could be used. The arrangement shown conforms with approved rules of play.

Pin spotting units 300, adapted to hold and spot bowling pins Numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 corresponding spots on alley bed A are carried by rock shaft 320. Shaft 324 carries spotting units 300 adapted to hold and spot Number 4, 5 and 6 pins in corresponding spots 4, 5 and 6 on alley bed A. Receptacles 300 for holding and spotting Number 2 and 3 pins on corresponding spots 2 and 3 on alley bed A are carried by shaft 326. Shaft 328 supports spotting unit 300 which holds and spots pin Number l in its conventional spotted position on alley bed A.

As indicated in Figures l, 2, 9, l0 `and 1l, adjacent each pin spotting unit 300 is `located a guide which assists in the proper disposition of each pin in its respective unit 300. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that spotting units, corresponding to pins #7 and #10, are provided with curved guides 171 mounted on lugs 173 on `brackets 316. These upstanding guides 171 insure 'that a pin ejected by belt 146 will be directed downwardly into pin spotting units 300 which hold pins which will be spotted in #7 and #l0 positions on alley bed A. Mounted on shafts 324, 326 and 328, are downwardly inclined pin holding members 175 which act both as guides and means for resiliently holding bowling pins in trough members 330 of pin spotting units 300 corresponding to pins which are to 'be spotted in positions Numbers 2 -to 10 inclusive on `alley bed A. Each member 17S is provided with a bent tail portion which presses resiliently against the tapered portion of a pin resting in a trough 330 with which a member 175 is associated. Pinspotting unit 360, which `supports and spots pin #1, is provided with a pin guide member 177 having an inclined elongated guide portion 179 extending both below and above frame 311 of table T, and provided with end portions 181 suitably attached to brackets 314 secured to frame members 312. Attached to brackets 345 of spotting units 366 corresponding to No. l and N-o. 5 pins, are bridge plates 301 and 299, respectively. These plates bridge 'the distance from the Vstation points #l and #5 on cam track 60 and thereby facilitate the passage of pins from distributor D to the spotters indicated.

Since each of the several spotting units 300 is essentially the same in construction, it is deemed necessary to describe only Ione in detail. Referring to Figures l, 2, 7, 8, 9 and l0, atypical spotting unit 300 includes an elongated, generally U-shaped trough like member or receptacle designated 330 which is greater in length than the length of a pin held therein for spotting. Receptacle 336 can be formed of sheet metal, wood, plastic, stiffened impregnated, or plastic coated fabric yor combinations of such materials, or the like. Receptacle 33i may be formed in a single piece 'as illustrated inthe above referred to figures, or may be made up of a plurality of parts, into a rigid structure which supports and spots a pin delivered thereinto in accurate playing larrangement on bowling `alley bed A. A bowling pin 11 delivered from distributor D -into a spotting unit 300 moves or slides along the bottom 332 of trough-like member 330 which is shaped yto conform generally with the contour -of a pin, and comes to rest thereon between spaced side walls 334 extending upwardly from bottom 332 with the tapered sides of Ithe pin below its belly portion or section of maximum diameter resting upon and supported by a half lring support 336 suitably attached to bottom 332 and -to 'the inner faces of walls 334 'as by screws 337. Side walls 334, as shown in Figures 7, 9 and l0, preferably are shaped to act as guides for a pin delivered to la unit 300, and also `to provide reinforcing and pin positioning shoulders 338, 34), such that a pin held in a unit 300, see Figures 9 and l0, has its belly portion located between shoulders 340 and its head and neck portion between shoulders 338. Walls 334 also preferably are formed with lianges 342 land a stiffening 'bead 344 formed integrally with or attached thereto in 'any suitable manner. In this way, a through-like member or receptacle 330 may be formed of relatively thin mate- 7 rial and have suicient rigidity to withstand hard usage, and accurate spotting of pins ythereby is assured.

As indicated in Figures l and 10, the trough-like member or receptacle 336 of each spotting unit 300 is carried by table T with its longitudinal axis inclined with the horizontal when in its normal pin receiving and holding position. When bowling pins are to be spotted on lalley A, each spotting unit Still of the plurality of units carried by table T, is swung clockwise, as viewed in Figure l, to the position shown 'by a single unit 300 4illustrated in Figure 7. After the spotting units 300 have been swung to the position indicated in full lines in Figure 7 and as table T moves downwardly to place the bases of pins held therein on alley bed A, `further downward movement of table T causes half ring support 336 to move downwardly away from pin 11 in the direction of arrow E, whereupon each pin 1l assumes an upright position on alley bed A, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. Spotting units 300 are then swung rearwardly to locate half ring supports 336 clear of all standing pins, and table T rises, leaving a new set yof pins on alley bed A.

' The upper end of each trough-like member or receptacle 33t) is attached to a support bracket 345, as by rivets 3/i6. Bracket 3435 is provided with holes 348 through which extend bolts 352 threaded into support bracket 354 of a respotting device 350, one of which devices 350 is associated with each spotter unit 300. When bolts 352 are tightened in bracket 354, brackets 345 and 354 are securely clamped to their respective support shafts 32d, 324, 326, and 328 and the sets of spotting units 300 and respotting devices 35i? are held thereby clamped on table T.

A key 356 inserted in keyways formed in transverse shafts 320, 324, 326 and 323 and in support brackets 354 of each respotting device 350 insures 'the proper lateral positioning of each set of spotting units 35N) and respotting devices 350 on table T. Holes 348 in bracket 345 are somewhat greater in diameter 'than the diameter `of a bolt 352 which allows `a limited amount of adjustment of receptacles 33t). This adjustment `can be made lby selective tightening of bolts 352 to secure the desired final adjusted position of spotting devices 300. It will lbe evident that by merely unscrewing bolts 352, an entire cell can easily be removed for adjustment or repairs, or replaced by a new cell without disturbing `the remainder of the table system.

Since there are ten triangularly arranged respotting devices shown in the embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration, land each device 350 'is identical in construction and opera-tion, it is deemed sufficient to describe `but one in detail. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 7 to 16 inclusive, each bracket 354 which supports 'a r respotting device 350, is formed with tw-o spaced 'arms 355, The outer face of each arm 355 is provided with bosses 353 to which are attached, as by screws 357, a horizontal guide track 358 provided with guide rails 360, on which run rollers 362 rotatably mounted in spaced relation Iat the top of a gripper jaw cam carriage 364. ln the illustrated embodiment, each cam carriage 364 is provided with a pair `of spaced guide or cam tracks 366 formed integrally therewith and located along the side vertical edges of carriage 364. A rol-ler 370 pivot-ally mounted on each upwardly extending arm 372 formed integrally with the `transverse pin gripper jaw or clamping 'bar 374i, engages with 'and runs upon each track 366. As indicated in Figure 8, clamping bar 374 is provided with two 'arms 372 formed integrally 'therewith at its ends.

Each yrespotting device 350 is provided with two opposed, iindependently movable elongated pin gripping jaws or clamping bars 374. Each arm 372 also mounts a roller 378 adapted -to roll on an elongated guide member 38) mounted for parallel movement relative to horizontal guide `tracks 358. Each guide member 380 is provided with rails 332 on which rollers 37S run. The axes of the pivots of rollers 370 and 373 lie in the same horizontal line, such that at all times yduring the movement of rollers 370 and 378 on guide tracks 366 and rails 382, respectively,y pin gripping jaws or clamping bars 374 are maintained substantially parallel with the surface of alley bed A. Each pin gripping jaw or clamping bar 374 preferably is provided with a resilient gripping surface 376, such as sponge-rubber, felt, or other suitable resilient material in order to prevent damage to a pin when gripped thereby. ln the embodiment illustrated, sponge rubber is used.

A5 shown in detail in Figures l0, ll and l2, each cam track 366 on cam `carriages 364 `is provided with an upper generally straight portion 367 and a lower outwardly diverging straight portion 359 connected by a curved portion 37l, The lower end of each cam track 366 is provided with a stop plate 373 preferably formed integrally therewith. Plates 373 prevent rollers 370 from running vott" rails 366. End plates 33t preferably formed integrally with, guide member Si? prevent rollers 37S from running oit rails 332. Plates 359 formed integrally with tracks 358 prevent rollers `362 from running oit rails 35i) of tracks 358. The design of cam tracks 366 is such that when gripping jaws 37d are in inoperative position, they are held apart, as shown in Figures l0 and l2. When, however, table T is moved downwardly and standing pins are to be lifted, each jaw 374i of a ite-spotting device 350, which is ope-rated, is moved, as described hereinafter, into gripping engagement with such pins, and held by upper portion 357 of cam tracks 366 in such engagement until a pin held thereby is respotted.

As shown Iin Figures 8, 9, 10, ll and l2, each pair of opposed elongated gripping jaws 374 is adapted to grip for lifting and respotting standing bowling pins which are not only in on-spot position, out which have also walked or moved off-spot a .substantial distance.

Each respotting device 35d includes a block member designated generally 386 which is pivotally linked to bracket 354 for substantially vertical movement. When gripping jaws 374 of a respotting device 359 are lo:ated in spaced or inoperative position, as shown in Figures l0 and l2, block 386 is located in its lower position for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Block member 336 is provided with a pin contacting or clamping portion having a flat under-.surface 387 which serves to engage and clamp standing pins firmly upon the playing bed A of a bowling alley when such pins are to be gripped by elongated gripping jaws or clamping members 374 for lifting and respott-ing. The width of the flat undersurface of block member 386 is substantially the same as that of the gripping jaws 374, and as indicated in Figures 8 and l0, this width is such as to provide a wide contact clamping area relative to the head of a bowling pin standing on or oil-spot `on a bowling alley. This arrangement is such that when all ten 1ct-:spotting devices 350 are taken vinto consideration, bowling pins which have walked or have been moved oit spot a substantial distance, will be gripped, lifted and respotted on their `off-spot pcs-itions. In this manner, the positions of standing -pins to be lifted may be laterally or longitudinaly ofset with respect to the normal or spotted position each pin occupies and each pin will be properly returned to substantially the exact position it occupied prior to being lifted. As described more in detail hereinafter, block member 386 also serves the dual purpose of locking gripping jaws 374 in pin gripping position, and effecting the release of the jaws for the delivery of pins held thereby when respotting the same in on or off-spot position on alley bed A.

When table T is lowered after the rolling of a rst ball of a frame, and standing pins remain thereon for lifting and respotting, each such standing pin will be clamped firmly by a pad 383 even attached to the flat undersurface 387 of block 336. Pad 333 may 'be `made of any suitable resilient material, such as sponge rubber, felt, or the like. ln thc illustrated embodiment, it is formed of sponge rubber. This allows each pin gripped by clamping jaws 374 to be held thereby between pads 376 with the top of the pin pressing against pad 383 on block 386 during the liting operation of each pin and while it is being respotted on alley bed A. Block 386 is provided with an upwardly extending hannel shaft projection 390 having spaced arms supporting vertically spaced pivot pins 394 and 396. Pivotally attached to pivot pin 394 is a link 398 having its other end pivoitally mounted on pin 4d@ in arms 353 of bracket 354. Pivotally connected to pivot pin 396 is a link 482 which is parallel with link 398. The other end of link 402 is pivotally `connected to a horizontal pin 494 mounted in arms 355, which pin is also connected to space-d arms 466 of a bracket 488 to which lis secured track 60 on which runs the displacing mechanism of distributor D.

When table T is lowered by the operation of the table operating mechanism, described hereinafter, the downward movement causes pad 388 on the ilat under-surface `of block member 386 to engage with the upper ends of any standing pins which remain standing on alley bed A. This engagement stops the descent of each block member 386 engaging a standing pin `through downward movement of table T While the latter continues its downward movement. If a bowling pin, or pins, below a respotting device 35i) is or are lying yon 4the alley, as shown in Figure 1, the operational position of such respotting device remains unchanged and undisturbed. However, if one or more of the pads 388 on under-surface 387 of a block 386 of a respotting ldevi-ce 350 contacts the head of a bowling pin -in registration therewith regardless of the fact that it may be on or off-spot during the descent of table T, star cam 42d .rotatably mounted on a pin 419 in a vertical liange 422 is engaged by an actuating linger 424 supported on a stu-d 426 extending from one of the anges 428 of a channel member 429 attached to bracket 354. Actuating linger 424, as shown in detail in Figures 12-16 inclusive, may consist of a flat spring metal strip, such as steel, supported -on pin 426 and held against excess downward movement by means of an abutment 43d formed integrally with one of the flanges 428. In this manner, when upright pressure, due to the presence of a standing pin 11, raises block 386 of the respotting device corresponding to the standing pin to its maximum normal vertical limit, linger 424 comes into engagement with star wheel or cam 426, see Figure 13, and turns `the wheel during the relative upward movement of block member 386 `and downward movement of bracket 354 such that one of the two notches 432 is engaged by a cam lug 434 attached to or formed integrally with channel member 429. A suitable friction or spring washer 421 on pin 419 holds star wheel or cam 42d against turning unless and until it is engaged by finger 424 or lug 434. As shown in Figure 14, when a notch 432 on star wheel or cam 420 is in engagement with cam lug 434, `block 386 is locked against downward vertical movement relative to table T, and more specifically bracket 354. The same locking relationship obtains in all respotting devices 358 `which are positioned above standing pins;

As shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, an elongated guide bar 380 is secured, as by screws 384, in substantially horizontal position to the opposite ends of transverse block members 386. Each guide member 380 is provided with stops 381 at its ends to prevent rollers 378 from running oif the tracks 382 formed thereon. During the downward movement of table T, described above, and the clamping of 4any standing pins by pads 388 attached to the under surface of blocks 386 as described above, there will be caused an inward movement of each of the opposed grippers 374 on each respotting device 356. The inward movement of each pair of grippers begins as soon as a pin standing in on or ott-spot position is engaged by a pad' 388 of its respective spotting device. The downward movement of table T, which brings pads 388 in contact with the head ends of standing pins, causes the arrest of block 386 while table T continues its downward movement, resulting in the movement of cam rollers 370 along track portion 369 of cams 366 and a horizontal movement of rollers 378 of each gripper jaw 374 along horizontal tracks 380, thereby causing rollers 370 to travel around curved portion 371 and finally move into vertically positioned portion 367 of cam tracks 366, this taking place at approximately the time notch 432 of cam wheel 420 engages cam lug 434. This operation results therefore not only in the locking of block 386 against downward movement, but also in the positive locking together of each pair of opposed gripping jaws 374 of a respotting device surrounding a standing pin.

In the description given directly above, the operation of the several respotting devices 350 has been stated according to the manipulation of the parts relative to on-spot pins to be gripped, lifted and respotted. In the event that a pin has walked oit-spot either laterally or longitudinally, reference is made to Figure 10. If, for example, a pin has moved to the left of the position indicated in Figure 10, it is obvious that the left hand gripper 374 would be the rst to engage the side of the neck portion of the pin. Therefore, although there would be continued downward movement of table T and relative upward movement of block 386, movement of left hand gripping jaw 374 would cease, since the pin is held rmly upon alley bed A by pad 388 attached to undersurface 387 of block 386. Notwithstanding this operation, however, the right hand gripper 374 would continue to move towards the right hand side of the neck of pin 11 until it engaged the same and coacted with lefthand gripper 374 to firmly grip the opposite sides of the head of pin 11. This operation is made possible by the construction and operation of carriages 364 on which are mounted cam tracks 366 because when the movement of one gripper jaw is arrested because of its engagement with the side of a pin, carriage 364 shifts on rollers 362 which roll along tracks 360 and re-center gripper jaws 374 with respect to the longitudinal axis of a pin. In this manner, it is evident that whenever a pin is oit-spot and is to be lifted, each set of cam carriages 364 of a respotting device 350 automatically re-centers the pair of gripping jaws 374 associated therewith for properly gripping pins for lifting and respotting in their exact oifspot positions.

Following the gripping of each standing pin, table T is raised, whereby the several actuated respotting devices lift the on or olf-spot pins above alley bed A from which deadwood is removed by any suitable means (not shown). Table T is again lowered for respotting pins lifted thereby into proper respotted position on alley bed A. As soon as the butt ends of each pin engage alley bed A, continued downward movement of table T causes cam lug 434 to be moved out of its engagement with notch 432, and finger 424 presses against one of two tails 436 on cam or star wheel 420, turning it to the position shown in Figure 15. This eifects the release of all respotted pins from the sets of gripping jaws 374 of the several respotting devices which were operated. As table T returns upwardly in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 16, block 386 moves to the position shown in Figure l0, and relative separation between bracket 354 and tracks 35S carried thereby and tracks 380 carried by block 386, effects the spreading apart of the gripping jaws 374 to the positions indicated in Figure 10. The downward movement of block 386 and the upward movement of bracket 354 as the resultof upward movement of table T to its dwell position above alley bed A, cause cam lug 434 to engage a side of one of the tails 436 on cam wheel 42). This repositions and readys cam wheel 426, as shown in Figure 16, for

the next locking operation of gripping jaws 374 as thev result of the upward movement of block 386 when upon the next downward movement of table T, block 386 is engaged by the head end of a standing pin to be lifted and respotted.

Attached to or formed integrally with each bracket 11 316 is an elongated vertical extension 4.138, to each of which are pivotally connected upper and lower radius arms 440, 442 respectively, which maintain table T in a substantially horizontal plane at all times, both during its movement to and from alley bed A, and when table T dwells above alley bed A. Extensions 438 preferably are formed from tubular metal stock for strength and also because of their lightness as compared with solid metal. Radius arms 440, 442 are also pivotally connected to supports 444 attached to cross frame niember 27. Also pivotally connected to brackets 316 in any suitable manner are stabilizing arms M6, the latter being pivotally joined to brackets attached to cross frame member 27. Stabilizing arms 446 prevent side sway of table T. Springs 447 each having one end attached to extension 438 and the other end attached to a bracket 451 on a support 444, balance the weight of table T and assist in assuring its smooth movement to and from alley bed A. As shown in Figures l and 2, radius arms 440 and 442, and arms 446 are provided at their ends with adjustable connections. This arrangement provides means for adjusting the position of table T longitudinally, and/or laterally, and also for leveling it. These adjustments, together with the adjustable supports of spotter units 300, and respotter devices 35i?, make it possible to obtain great accuracy in spotting and respotting pins on bed A.

Table T is supported above playing bed A of a bowling alley, as indicated in Figure l, for movement to and from the alley bed for spotting and respotting pins thereon by a frame including spaced side frames mounted on kickbacks 29 of the bowling alley. Each side frame is formed of two uprights 452 and a longitudinal frame member 454. The side frames are connected together by cross members 456, 457. Attached to members {i-i are transverse strips 458 on which is mounted motor 469 which is responsible for the movement of table T to and from alley bed A. Motor d6@ has operationally associated therewith a conventional gear reduction mechanism enclosed in housing 462, which mechanism through a conventional type one-revolution clutch lil, drives a shaft 60d at a desired rate of speed. The operation Of clutch Kl and a cam 6tl6, Figures 5 and l7, secured to shaft 6M will be described in detail hereinafter. Also secured to shaft 65M is a sprocket 6433, Figure 5, tracking a chain dit@ which drives, at a one to one ratio, a sprocket 612 secured to shaft Attached to each end of shaft 46d is a crank arm Lit-i6, each crank arm mounting in its free end a stud shaft 46S to which is pivotally attached an eye having formed integrally therewith a threaded rod portion threadably secured in a connecting rod or table supporting rod 474, which rod at its lower end, see Figure l, has threadably secured thereto an eye 76 mounted for free movement on the end of shaft 324i. When, therefore, motor 460 is set into operation and shaft 461i is rotated, crank arms 466 will cause ytable T to be lowered and raised with respect to alley bed A for spotting and respotting pins thereon. This mechanism allows the spotting and respotting operations of table T to be eiiected at the same height above bed A, and permits the use of the simple harmonic drive described.

Referring to Figures l, 3, 4 and 5, loosely mounted upon and adjacent one end of shaft 46d is a sprocket 473 having formed integrally therewith, or suitably attached thereto, a hub 4530 provided with upstanding lugs supporting a pivot pin 484 to which is pivotally connected one end of a link 486, the other end of link S6 being pivotally connected by a pin 488 in a fork formed in lever ii/iti keyed to a stud shaft 49?. mounted in a bearing bracket 494 secured to the underside of one of the longitudinal side frame members 451i. Sprocket 478 is tracked by a sprocket chain 496 running on a sprocket 493 fixed to shaft 468. Also attached to shaft 46S is a crank arm Sti@ provided with a fork supporting a pin 502 on which is pivoted a connecting rod 504, the other end of which is connected to a pin 595 in an arm 5% of a bell crank lever 538 secured adjacent one end of shaft 324. This bell crank lever is also provided with an arm Sltl to which is connected a link 512 connected in turn to a lever 514 attached to shaft 3213. Adjacent the other end of shaft 324 is a bell crank 509, similar in construction to bell crank 503, having an arm 511 to which is connected one end of a link 533, the other end of which is attached to a lever 5M secured to shaft Also attached to shaft 324 are levers 516, to each of which is `connected a link 513, these links being connected to levers 520 attached to shaft 326. Attached to shaft 326 are levers 522 having pivotally connected to their free ends links 524, which in turn are connected to revers 526 secured to shaft 328. The link and lever construction just described, provides for the simultaneous movement of each of the ten spotting units 3% from pin holding posit-ion indicated in Figures l, 9 'and l0, to pin spotting position indicated in Figure 7.

Springs 528 perform the function of balancing thc weight of the several pin spotting units 300 and also assist in returning them to their pin receiving and holding positions after the spotting of a set of pins thereby on alley bed A. Also during the actual spotting operation, springs 523 are instrumental in effecting the release movement of spotting units 300, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7.

One of the springs 528 has an end attached to pivot pin {Sil/5, the other end being attached to a bracket 530 secured to a bracket 316. The other spring 528, shown at the top of Figure 2, has one end secured to a pin 532 carried by arm 507 of lever 509, the other end of the spring being attached to -a bracket 531) also attached to a bracket 316.

When bowling pins are to be spotted on bowling alley bed A, solenoid 54d, mounted on a bracket 542i attached to cross frame 457, is energized. rThis causes the upward movement of the armature of solenoid 5ft@ and rocks bell crank lever 542 to which the armature is attached on shaft 543 mounted in bracket 541 swinging arm 5934 on lever 542 to the left, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, disengaging cam follower 546 on arm 54a from latching engagement with a cam surface formed on lock arm 54S of lock lever 550, the latter being keyed to shaft 492. An adjustable set screw 549 mounted in bracket 541 is provided in order :to properly position cam follower 546 on lock arm 548. Lock lei/er 550 is provided with an adjustable pin 552 adapted to engage a lateral projection or extension 554 on cam lever 556 loosely mounted on shaft 492. Cam lever 556 is provided with a cam follower 558 tracking a cam 56d attached to shaft 464.

A spring 562 having one end attached to pin 483 and its other end suitably attached to a bracket 564iattached to a side frame member 454 tends to pull lever 499 to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, whereby whenever solenoid Seil is energized, pin 552 is held pressed against projection 55d, and cam follower 558 on lever 556 is held resiliently against the surface of cam 569. lt will be seen, therefore, that when solenoid 540 is energized, cam follower 55S is moved into engagement with cam 560 duc to the pressure exerted thereon by spring 562. The movement of cam 560 with respect to cam follower 558 and the linkage and leverage described hereinabove, results in sprocket 478 being rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, which results in the rocking of crank arms 500, thereby effecting a turning of shafts 320, 324, 326 and 328, which when table T is located in position Il, as indicated in Figure l, results in the delivery of ten pins in spotted arrangement on alley bed A.

As shown in Figures l and 7, when rod 504 is moved downwardly due to the rocking of crank arm 590 and springs 528 move past the dead center of shaft 321.1,

springs 526 eifect the rearward movement of each of the trough members or receptacles 330 away from the base of pins being positioned in spotted arrangement on the alley. This nal movement does not take place until after the bases of the pins being spotted are actually on the alley bed A and ring portions 336 have moved from the full line position, shown in Figure 7, to the dotted line position indicated therein, at which time the gap between the ends of each ring is clear of the pin, the latter resting on the alley so that during the further movement of a trough-like member 330 to dotted position indicated in Figure 7, the pin is freed entirely from the receptacle 336 which supported it and placed it in spotted standing position on alley bed A. Following this action, and due to the continued rotating of shaft 464, and the action of cam 560 on cam follower 558, each trough member 330 of a spotting unit 300 is moved substantially vertically upward and then swung back to the pin supporting and holding position indicated in Figure l. l

On very rare occasions during the operation of the machine, it may happen that a bowling pin will walk or be moved so far ofi-spot that it cannot be gripped by gripping jaws 374 and will interfere with the downward travel of table T to position II. In order to prevent damage to the machine, such as breakage of parts, mechanism is provided for stopping the machine.

Referring to Figures l and 6, each rod 474 is provided with two telescoping parts, 474, 475. Part 475 carries a bracket 477 in which is xedly mounted an adjustable rod 479 having its free end extending upwardly through an opening in a plate 481 having a hub attached to rod 474. A spring 483, encircling rod 474 and rod portion 475, bears yagainst bracket 477 and plate ddl, normally tending to urge them apart. lf for any reason, such as described, downward movement of table T to position ll is prevented, due to the telescopic arrangement shown in detail in Figure 6, spring 483 will be compressed and rod 479 will engage switch 48S in a normally closed circuit through the motor 460, breaking the circuit and stopping the machine, thereby preventing further downward movement of table T and preventing damage to the machine and breakage of parts.

Table T is mounted for movement to and from alley bed A after each iirst ball of a frame is rolled in order to test for the presence or absence of standing pins. If all pins are knocked down by the rst ball and a strike is made, table T moves up and then down and spots a. new set of pins on the alley. If pins remain standing after the iirst ball of a frame is rolled, and the game of tenpins or kingpins is being played, after lifting and respotting such standing pins in on or off-spot position on alley bed A, table T remains in its dwell position above yalley bed A until after the second or last ball of the frame is rolled, and fallen and standing unwanted pins are removed by suitable means (not shown) and ejected into pit P. Table T then is moved downwardly to spot a new set of pins on alley bed. A, after which it moves upwardly to its dwell position.

When each of the spotting units 300 is lmoved to its spotting position, each respotting device 350 is also swung in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 7. This operation causes rollers 362 to roll by gravity downwardly along tracks 352i and block 386 to move upwardly towards shaft 328 thereby moving carriages 364 and effecting a relative movement between jaws 374 and carriages 36e such that the left gripper jaw 374, as viewed in Fig. l0, moves towards the right gripper jaw, and gripper jaws 374 are thereby disposed out of centered relationship with respect to block 386. On the return movement of spotting units 360 to pin receiving and supporting position, see Figs. l and l0, rollers 362 roll back along tracks 35S because of the downward movement of block 386 away from shaft 328 due to its weight and gravity and the coaction between rollers 370 and cam tracks 366 of carriages 364. While rollers 362 are rolling along tracks 358, as described above, rollers 37S are rolling along tracks 332 on guide members 380 carried by blocks 386. When rollers 370 engage stops 381 at the ends of tracks 380, carriages 364 are recentered, and the gripper jaws are returned to open positions ready to grip pins to be lifted and respotted.

Assuming that each of the ten pin holding receptacles 33t) of pin spotting units 30G holds a bowling pin, and table T is in its uppermost position, or position I, indicated by dotted lines in Figure l, and also that there are no pins on the alley A, a new set of pins may be placed on the alley by the manual operation of push button 600. The closing of contacts 60b energizes relay 602 which closes contacts 602k and starts motor 460, which through a conventional type one-revolution clutch K1, drives shaft 6de. The closing of contacts 60Gb also momentarily energizes solenoid 6l4 which results in the inward movement of armature 616 and a rocking of lever 61S which activates clutch Kl to connect shaft 604 with Amotor 460. The cl-osing of contacts 60661 energizes a relay 618 thereby closing contacts 6l8b, which energizes solenoid 540 and disengages cam follower 546 from lock arm 548 in the manner previously described. As shaft 604 rotates, cam 606, secured thereto, effects the closing of contacts 620 and causes relays 602 and 61S to be held in by their respective contacts 602:1 and 613a. Continued rotation of shafts 664 and 464i causes table T to descend to position ll, Figure l, by means previously described, place a set of ten pins on the alley, and then return to its starting position, at which time, clutch K1 disengages shaft 604 from mot-or 460 and arrests the rotation of shaft 604-. At this time cam 606 opens its contacts 620, relays 662 and 618 fall out, motor 460 stops, and solenoid S40 is de-energized.

lf, after a bowling ball has been rolled, a strike is made, the deadwood is removed by suitable conventional means, not shown and a new set of pins placed upon the alley in the manner described above.

`When a strike is not made, push button 622 is depressed. The closing of its contacts 622e energizes relay 602 thereby closing contact 602k which makes a circuit through motor 464D thereby starting motor 460. The closing of switch contacts 622er also energizes the coil of solenoid 6M which actuates clutch K1 as previously described. The closing of contacts 6221) energizes the relay 624. The closing of the latters contacts 6241; start-s timing motor 626. The rotation of a cam 628, secured to shaft 630 of said timing motor, closes its contacts 632, which holds in relay 624 through its contacts 624a. The table descends, picks up standing pins in a manner previously described, returns to its starting position and stops when cam 666 opens its contacts 620. The table T dwells in this position for a period which is predetermined by the relative speeds of shaft 604 and 630. During this period, a `sweep (not shown) removes any deadwood. This also takes place when pins remain standing after the second ball of a frame has been rolled. A cam 634, secured to shaft 630, then closes contacts 636 momentarily, which reengages clutch K1 as previously described. The table descends and respots the pins picked up in a manner heretofore described. The table then ascends and stops when cam 666 opens its contacts 620. Continued notation of cam 628 opens its contacts 632, relay 624 falls out, and timing motor 626 stops.

As previously mentioned, a safety switch 485 is provided. Referring to Figure i7, it will be seen that if switch 485 were to be opened, in the manner previously described, motor 560, or motors 460 and 626, would stop and prevent further downward movement of table T.

The above described invention may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for 'the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the salme. lt is not therefore to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What we claim is:

l. A bowling pin spotting and respotting apparatus comprising a table, means for maintaining said table in a substantially horizontal position throughout its movement vto and from the playing bed of a bowling alley for spotting and respotting bowling pins thereon, a plurality of pin spotting units mounted on said table, a plurality of pin respotting devices mounted on said table, means operatively connecting each of said units with one of said devices, said last-named means including a support normally positioning said unit in an inclined pin receiving and supporting position and said device in position to engage a pin standing on or off-spot on said alley bed, means mounting said supports on said table for movement relative thereto, and means for substantially simultaneously moving each of said supports to locate said devices in an inoperative position and to locate said units in upright pin delivery yand spotting position relative to said bed.

2. A bowling pin spotting and respotting apparatus comprising a table, means mounting said 4table above the playing bed of a bowling alley, mechanism for moving said table to `and from said alley bed for spotting and respotting pins thereon, a plurality of pin spotting units and a plurality of pin respotting devices carried by said table, a plurality of shafts mounted on said table, means attaching said units and devices to said shafts, and means for rocking said shafts in one direction to effect the simultaneous movement of all spotting units to pin delivery position and shift said respotting devices to inoperative position, and means operative when said table moves upwardly after a set of pins has been placed on said alley bed for rocking said shafts in the opposite direction to return said units to pin receiving and supporting position and locate said respottng devices in operative respotting position.

3. The apparatus delined in claim 2 wherein said mechanism for moving said table to and from said alley bed includes means for operating said mechanism after the rolling of the rst ball of a frame to move said table downwardly to pin gripping position above said alley bed, and means actuated by the heads of standing on or off-spot pins for operating said devices to grip said standing pins for lifting and respotting.

4. The machine defined in claim 2 wherein said mechanism includes a drive shaft, an operating arm adjacent cach end of said shaft and attached thereto, links connecting said arms to said table, and means for driving said shaft to rotate said arms and locate said table at the same distance above said alley for spotting and respctting pins thereon.

5. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin spotting and respotting table, a plurality of triangularly arranged pin spotting units carried by said table, each unit having a pin supporting member, a plurality of triangularly arranged respotting devices carried by said table, cach device having opposed pin grippcrs, a plurality of movabie supports, each mounting one or more of said units and respotting devices, said supports including means for positioning said members of said units at an angle with the plane of said table, and means for positioning said grippers of said respotting devices in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of said table, and means for moving said supports to locate said supporting members substantially at right angles with said aiiey for deposit of pins carried thereby on said alley, and for simultaneously locating said grippers in a piane inclined at an angle to the plane of said table.

6. The machine dened in claim S including means operative subsequent to the spotting of pins by said units for moving said supports to relocate said units and respotting devices in pin supporting and pin gripping positions, respectively, mechanism for eiecting the movement of said table downwardly after the rolling of the first bali of a frame to position said grippers `of said devices for gripping any standing en or off-spot bowling pins, and

means `actuated by the downward movement of said table relative to the heads of standing pins for moving said grippers into gripping engagement with opposite sides of the heads of said standing pins for lifting and respotting.

7. The machine defined in claim 6 wherein said lastnamed means includes a pin clamp associated with each respotting device, means actuated by said clamps for closing said grippers, and means for locking said grippers in gripping relationship against said pins.

8. A bowling pin spotting and respotting apparatus comprising a table, means mounting said table above the playing bed of a bowling alley, i echanisrn for moving said table to and from said bed to spot and respot pins thereon, `a plurality of pin spotting units carried by said table, a plurality of pin respo-tting devices including pin grippers carried by said table, a plurality of shafts mountcd on said table, means attaching said units and devices to said shafts with a spotting unit and a respotting device forming a spotting-respotting assembly, said shafts normally positioning said respotting devices in operative position, and means for actuating said mechanism, said mechanism including selectively operated means for turning said shafts to locate said units of said assemblies in pin spotting relationship with said alley bed and to locate said respotting devices in inoperative position when said spotting units are located in said pin spotting relationship, and means operative in response to the rotation of said shafts in the opposite direction to relocate said respotting devices of said assemblies in said normal position to grip and hold on or off-spot pins for lifting and respotting after said units have spotted pins on said alley bed.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said mechanism includes a drive shaft, cranks mounted on said drive shaft, links connecting said cranks to one of said shafts on said table, whereby when said drive shaft is rotated, said table is moved to and from said alley, said selectively operated means including a spotter unit actuating arm pivotally mounted on one of said cranks, operating arms mounted on each of said shafts on said table supporting said assemblies, links connecting said operating arms, a link connecting said spotter unit actuating arm and one of said operating arms, and selective means for rocking said spotter unit actuating arm during the rotation of said drive shaft to rock said shafts supporting said assemblies and locate each of said units in pin spotting position relative to said alley bed.

l0. The invention as set forth in claim 9, including a cam mounted on said drive shaft, and means actuated by said cam for moving said spotter unit actuating arm in the opposite direction after a set of pins has been spotted on said alley bed.

ll. A bowling pin spotting machine comprising a table, means mounting said table above the playing bed of a bowling alley, mechanism for moving said table to and from said bed, a plurality of substantially parallel shafts mounted on said table, a plurality of sets of pin spotting units and pin respotting devices supported by said shafts, means normally positioning each of said units in pin receiving and supporting position and each of said devices in respotting position relative to said bed of said alley, means for actuating said mechanism, and selectively operated means forming a part of said mechanism for rocking said shafts to swing all of said spotting units to spotting position relative to said alley bed when pins are to be spotted thereon.

l2. The invention defined in claim ll, wherein said mechanism and said last-named means include a driven drive shaft, spaced cranks connected to said drive shaft, links connecting said cranks to one of said shafts on said table, a spotting unit actuating arm mounted on one of said cranks, an operating lever on one of said shafts carried by said table, a link connecting said actuating arm and said operating lever, an operating lever on each of said other shafts, means interconnecting said last-named assidus 17 levers and said operating lever on said first-named shaft and selectively operated means for turning said spotting unit actuating arm to substantially simultaneously position all of said spotting units in pin spotting position.

13. The machine defined in claim wherein the supports for said grippers of said respotting devices include elongated guides, gripper operating carriages movably mounted on said guides, and means on said carriages operative in response to the repositioning of said grippers in said substantially horizontal plane for locating said grippers of said devices in centered open positions for the reception of the handle end of a pin to be gripped by said grippers ready for lifting and respotting pins.

14. A bowling pin spotting machine comprising a pin spotting and respotting table, mechanism for moving said table to and from a bowling alley to spot and respot pins thereon, mechanism for maintaining said table in a substantially horizontal plane during its movement to and from said alley, a plurality of pin spotting units, a plurality of movable support means on said table, said means supporting said units and normally positioning said units in an inclined pin receiving and supporting position, a plurality of pin respotting devices also mounted on said movable support means and extending downwardly beneath said table, each of said support means being common to one of said units and one of said devices, and normally positioning said device in operative position, means for actuating said first-named mechanism including selectively operated means operative during the downward movement of said table for moving said movable support means relative to said table and thereby moving each of said pin spotting units from said inciined receiving and supporting position into substantially vertical pin spotting position relative to said alley and for simultaneously moving each of said respotting devices on said common support means to an inoperative position.

15. A bowling pin spotting and respotting machine comprising a table, supports mounting said table above the playing bed of a bowling alley, a plurality of triangularly arranged pin spotting and respotting assemblies mounted on said table, each of said assemblies including a pin spotter unit and a pin respotting device, a separate individually movable support for each of said assemblies, each of said units including an elongated pin receiving ing spotting trough, and means attaching said trough to said support with said trough normally inclined at an angle to the plane of said bed for receiving a pin therein, a pin engaging and retaining member mounted in each of said troughs, each of said devices including a pair of opposed individually movable gripping jaws, a pin clamp operatively connected to said jaws and means positioning said clamp in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of said alley bed, and mechanism for moving said table to and from said alley bed to spot or respot pins thereon, including means for moving said assembly supports to swing said troughs from said inclined pin receiving position into pin spotting position substantially vertical to the plane of said alley, and to move said troughs away from spotted pins on said alley bed and to locate said devices in inoperative positions when said units are spotting pins on said alley bed, means for returning said assemblies to normal position with said units in inclined pin receiving position and said devices in operative position for gripping and holding pins to be lifted and respotted, means operative in response to the movement of said table downwardly when pins are to be respotted for engaging said clamps with the heads of standing pins, and means actuated by said clamps in response to the downward movement of said table to close said jaws against the opposite sides of the handle ends of standing on or off-spot pins.

16. The invention defined in claim 15, wherein said last-named means includes a clamp actuated latch and a;

latch actuating device carried by each clamp for locking said gripper jaws against opening, and means for unlatching said latch when a pin is respotted on said alley bed,

l whereby said grppers are opened on the next upward movement of said table.

17. A pin spotting and respotting cell for use in a bowling pin spotting machine, comprising a pin spotting unit having means for supporting a bowling pin for spotting, a pin respotting device including pin holding means and support means common to said unit and said device for rotatably mounting the same on a pin spotting table, for selective movement to locate said unit either in an inclined pin receiving and supporting position or in a substantially vertical pin spotting position and to locate said respotting device in operative and inoperative positions,

respectively, relative to said alley.

18. A table for spotting and respotting bowling pins upon the playing bed of a bowling alley comprising a substantially triangularly shaped frame, said frame including two elongated members forming the sides of said triangularly shaped frame, means joining one end of each ofV said members to the other, bearings carried by the free ends of each of said members, and a shaft having its ends journalled in said bearings and forming the base of said triangularly shaped frame, said members and said shaft forming a rigid beam truss frame substantially resistant to twisting and bending.

19. A bowling pin spotting machine comprising a pin spotting and respotting table, mechanism for moving said table to and from a bowling alley to spot and respot pins thereon, mechanism for maintaining said table in a substantially horizontal plane during its movements to and' from said alley, a plurality of pin spotting and respotting cells on said table, each of said cells including a separate spotting unit normally disposed in an inclined pin receiving and supporting position and a separate respotting device normally disposed in an operative position,

support means mounting said cells on said table for rotary movement relative thereto, means for actuating said irstnamed mechanism including selectively operated means operative during the downward movement of said table for rocking said support means relative to said table to locate said pin spotting units in a substantially vertical pin spotting position rela-tive to said alley, and for simultaneously locating each of said respotting devices in an inoperative position relative to said alley.

20. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin spotting and respotting table, means mounting said table above the playing bed of a bowling alley, a plurality of substantially parallel shafts mounted on said table, a plurality of pin spotting and respotting assemblies, one or more of said assemblies being mounted on each of said shafts, each of said assemblies comprising a pin spotting device and a pin respotting unit, a crank carried by one of said shafts on said table, a drive shaft, spaced cranks carried by said drive shaft, a link connecting each of said cranks on said drive shaft to said one of said shafts, a stud shaft carried by one of said cranks on said drive shaft, an arm secured to said stud shaft, a link connecting said arm to said crank on said one of said shafts, a lever attached to` said one of said shafts on said-table, actuating levers carried by each of said other shafts on said table, links connecting said actuating levers and said lever on said one of said shafts, means for driving said drive shaft to move said table to and from said alley bed, and selective means for rocking said arm on said stud shaft to cause said link connecting said arm and said crank attached to said one of said shafts on said table to turn said shaft and thereby rock said lever on said one of said shafts and move said links connectingsaid actuating levers, whereby all of said A shafts on said table mounting said assemblies are moved` to swing said devices to pin delivery positions relative to the bed of said alley.

'21. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said mechanism and said last-named means include a drive shaft, table lifting and lowering cranks mounted on said drive shaft, links connecting said cranks to said table, a stud shaft supported by one of said cranks, a spotter unit assigne l@ actuating arm secured to said stud shaft; a camy on said drive shaft, a bell crank lever mounted on one'of said shafts on said table, a link connecting said spotter unit actuating arm andsaid bell crank lever, a plurality'r of cranks mounted on said shaftsV on said table, links connecting said last-named cranks, a secondflink connecting said bell crank lever and one of said last-named cranks, i an intermediate shaft, a cani lever loosely mounted on saidv last-named shaft having a cam follower engaging said cam, a lock lever mounted on said last-named shaft, a spotting unitactuating lever also mounted on said lastnamed shaft, a lockarm-on saidlock lever, a latch member engaging said lock arm and normally holding saidA actuating lever against movement, means for moving said latch memberout of engagement withsaid lock armto release said lock 4lever for movement into engagement-withl said-fcam` lever, means for biasing'said lock lever,` said last-named shaft and said actuating-lever assembly into engagement with said `cam'lever,V whereby during rotation ofsaid drive shaft,said actuatingtlever is moved in responseV to-'the rotation of saidcam, Aand driving con nectionsf between said actuating leverand saidfactuating arme for rockingsaidshafts Von-said table-to swing said;

units to pin spotting positionfor*depositinga set of pins on said alley bed.

22. Theinvention set forthinclaim 21 wherein said-v means -for moving said latch member'out,ofengagement with said lock armincludesa selectively operated electric circuit, a solenoid in said circuitfand a linkconnected-to the armature of said solenoid and to'said latch member.

23. A, bowling pin -spottingA machine 'comprising `a frame, a pin spotting and respotting table, a plurality of pinspotting units mounted on said'table, each of said units includingra pin supporting and spotting trough projecting downwardly from said table, a plurality of pin respotting devices mounted on said table adjacent said units, supporting rods connecting said frame and Vsaid tableand mounting said table for movement to and from said'supports 'to move f-said troughs'and said respotting l devices toa selected one'of said positions relative to said alley.y

24e- A spotting and -respotting cell for-use on the pin spotting. table of a bowlingV pin spotting machine, com'- prisinga supporty Vbracket,a pin spottingunit attached'to said bracket, a respottingv device, a brackettor said'device, a 4common support or'saidl brackets comprising means .for attaching said bracketsto said support, and means for mounting said support'on a pin spotting table for .movement between a tirst-positionin whichv the, unitV is :inclinedand Vsupports a pin-and the respotting device is yinoperative:position,anda second position in which the "unityis in .verticalspotting positionv and the device is' in inoperative position.

25.-. Thespottingand respotting cell defined in'claim 24 wherein said device includes a pairofnindividually movablepin gripping jaws, means mounting said jaws for grip ping anon or ott-spot pinfstandng on .a bowlingalley, and means for closing said jaws to grip said pin.

26. The invention dened in claim .24, -Wherein-A said respotting device; includes individual .movable opposed gripping jaws, meansfor .moving said .common supporty Zit to Vsaid second position, and means operativek subsequent tothe spotting of said pinon said alley for moving said 1 common supportv to said rst position.

27.The spotting and respotting cell defined in Vclaim 24 wherein said attaching means includes means for detachably and adjustably securing said brackets to said support, whereby the angular and lateral positions ot said unit and device on said support may beadjusted as de'- sired.

28. A spotting and respotting cell for use in a bowling pin spotting machine having a pin spotter table, comprising a single pin-spotting unit, and a single respotting de:- vice, a common support for said spotting unit and said respotting device including means for mounting said lcommon supporton a pin` spotter tablepfor movement relative thereto into'anclout of a rst position in which the spotter unit is inclined and supportsY apinV and .the

respotting device is in operative position, andy a second, position inwhich the unit is substantially,Yvertically,dis4 posed for spotting the pin and the respotting deviceis in Y inoperative position.

29.VA The spotting and respotting cell defined in ,claiml 28, including means for adjustably and detachably securing said spotting unit and said respotting device to said common support, whereby said unit and said devicemay be readily removed from said support, .or their angular and lateral positions thereon may be adjusted as desired.v

30; The machine deiined in claim 23-includingadjrustable Ameans connectingl said supporting rodsto'said frame and table, said means including, means adapted tov increaseanddecrease the length of said rods as desired, whereby the lateral, longitudinaljand verticalpositions of said table Lrelative to the pin spots. on a bowlingalley may be controlled accurately'for spotting and respotting, of pins by said units and devices.

31. The table defined in claim 18 includinga plurality ofbowling pin spotting and respotting cells mounted on said frame, and means for moving said table with-a simple harmonic movement to and from pin spotting and respotting positions at substantially equal distances labove said valley bed.

32.*A pin spotting and respotting cell for use on thev pin spotter table of a bowling pin spotting machine,y comprising a'pin spotting unit having means for supporting a bowling pin to be spotted, a pinrespottingdevice including pin holding means for holding a pin `to be respotted, mounting means on said'unit, mounting means on said device, a common support, means for attaching,A said mounting means of said unit and saiddeviceto said Acommon support, and means for mounting said support onI a -pin spottingtable for movemcntrbetween a tirst position "in which the unit is inclined and supports a piny and the respotting device is in operatvepositiomand a second'position iin-which lthe unit is in .vertical spotting 4position Vand the device is inpinoperative position.

References Cited in the le of this patentA UNITED 'STATES PATENTS 1,149,318 Anderson Aug. 10,1915 1,190,649 Hedenskoog July/11, ,1916, l 1,833,813 Backus Nov. 2,4, 193i 2,208,605 Schmidt Ju1y723, 1940` 2,229,852,` Kaufman Jan. 28, 19511 2,300,802` Parra et al. Nov. 3, 19,42-,v 2,341,475- Parra et al. Feb.v 8, 1944. 2,514,457 Schmidty July 1l, 195() 2,518,457 Fretter Aug. l5, 1950' 2,530,385 Frye Nov. 21, `19,5() 2,531,429 Hedenskoog Nov. 28,1950 2,565,834 Wright Aug. 28, 1,951 2,586,707 Patterson Feb, 19, 1952*; 

